I think that the iPod is a very cool gadget. At the elementary level, I can see using it as a learning tool with individual students more, versus whole class, because kids in fourth grade just don't have these. I have one student who has an iPod Touch. I can see using it to help my more reluctant learners get engaged in their learning to practice math skills, high frequency sight words, fluency in reading, using reference materials, etc. I am particulary excited to use the voice memo which allows students to hear themselves read, critique their own fluency, and make improvements.
I can foresee using the iPod in some pretty basic situations in the classroom. I look forward to playing more music in class. I can plug my iPod into my wireless microphone that is hooked up to four speakers around my classroom. This will be nice for setting the stage for various lessons. Another basic way that I will use the iPod is to help with transitioning. My class has a very tough time transitioning quickly. I am going to use the timer application, instead of searching around my class for my stopwatches that rarely work, to give them immediate feedback on how they're using their time I am also going to use the weather application because my students are always asking me what the temperature is before they go out for recess. The calculator will come in really handy in lots of situations. I am also impressed with how easy it is to use the voice memo to podcast. This will be very useful for kids who are absent, and to even use in place of a newsletter for parents to listen to. I think I'll also use the voice memo for recording conferences with students, both individual and small group.
In my personal life I will use, and am using, the iPod a lot. My own children love using the iPod to practice math, high-frequency words, finding out about the planets, and listening to music. I am using the weather application and music most of all, but want to get more organized with the calendar, voice memos, etc.
While I think that the iPod has great potential, overall, I have a hard time seeing how it can be used fully in the classroom unless all of your students have one. It seems fairly limiting to have only one or two. I could see major monitoring problems, however, if all students had one. I couldn't imagine trying to monitor proper useage.
I think that the iPod is a very cool gadget. At the elementary level, I can see using it as a learning tool with individual students more, versus whole class, because kids in fourth grade just don't have these. I have one student who has an iPod Touch. I can see using it to help my more reluctant learners get engaged in their learning to practice math skills, high frequency sight words, fluency in reading, using reference materials, etc. I am particulary excited to use the voice memo which allows students to hear themselves read, critique their own fluency, and make improvements.
I can foresee using the iPod in some pretty basic situations in the classroom. I look forward to playing more music in class. I can plug my iPod into my wireless microphone that is hooked up to four speakers around my classroom. This will be nice for setting the stage for various lessons. Another basic way that I will use the iPod is to help with transitioning. My class has a very tough time transitioning quickly. I am going to use the timer application, instead of searching around my class for my stopwatches that rarely work, to give them immediate feedback on how they're using their time I am also going to use the weather application because my students are always asking me what the temperature is before they go out for recess. The calculator will come in really handy in lots of situations. I am also impressed with how easy it is to use the voice memo to podcast. This will be very useful for kids who are absent, and to even use in place of a newsletter for parents to listen to. I think I'll also use the voice memo for recording conferences with students, both individual and small group.
In my personal life I will use, and am using, the iPod a lot. My own children love using the iPod to practice math, high-frequency words, finding out about the planets, and listening to music. I am using the weather application and music most of all, but want to get more organized with the calendar, voice memos, etc.
While I think that the iPod has great potential, overall, I have a hard time seeing how it can be used fully in the classroom unless all of your students have one. It seems fairly limiting to have only one or two. I could see major monitoring problems, however, if all students had one. I couldn't imagine trying to monitor proper useage.